January 26, 2012 Virginia Beach votes to keep private lifeguard service www.privateofficer.com
VIRGINIA BEACH VA Jan 26 2012– Council voted Tuesday night to continue to use the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service to patrol the beaches at the oceanfront. The contract with the service would be for 5 years.
After a spirited discussion, the Council decided it was better to lock the lifesaving service into a contract rather than risk the city taking over the service and having the costs of operating it go up.
The vote was 7-4 to stay with the private service.
Some city officials said that the service provided through the private contractor cost the taxpayers too much. If the city had taken over the lifesaving duties it would have managed it through Virginia Beach EMS.
The Chief of Virginia Beach EMS, Bruce Edwards, believed they could do the same job, if not better, for a lot less money. He estimated a savings of more than $1.4 million over five years all while providing enhanced services like surf rescue boats.
But the city would have to expand its infrastructure and staff and the initial investment would cost the city more in its first year taking over services.
According to the EMS chief, Virginia Beach is one of the only major beaches on the east coast that still privatizes its lifeguarding services.
Source:WVEC.com
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